California Organized Investment Network (COIN) Is a Collaborative Effort Between the California Department of Insurance, the Insurance Industry, Community Affordable Housing and Economic Development Organizations, and Community Advocates.

The Investigation Division investigates suspected fraud committed by insurance agents, brokers, public adjusters, bail agents, insurance companies and other individuals and entities transacting the business of insurance who perpetrate fraud against consumers.

Department recovers more than $81.3 million for California consumers in 2017

News: 2018 Press Release

For Release: February 8, 2018

Media Calls Only: 916-492-3566

Email Inquiries: cdipress@insurance.ca.gov

Department recovers more than $81.3 million for California consumers in 2017

State’s largest consumer protection agency also saves consumers over $271 million through Prop. 103

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced today the California Department of Insurance recovered more than $81.3 million for consumers during 2017 through consumer complaint investigations and market conduct examinations of insurance companies.

"As insurance commissioner and the leader of the largest consumer protection agency in the state, my top priority is protecting consumers," said Commissioner Jones. "Thanks to the department's strong enforcement of our consumer protection rules, we recovered over $81 million for California consumers."

Last year the department's consumer hotline received over 147,000 calls for assistance. Through the department's complaint handling efforts, staff recovered more than $62.4 million for consumers in 2017. Additionally, the department performed 125 market conduct examinations, resulting in more than $18.9 million in recovered claims or premiums being returned to consumers.

Since Commissioner Jones took office in 2011, more than $469 million has been returned to consumers through the department's direct intervention.

Commissioner Jones has also used his authority under Proposition 103 to reject excessive rate increases, saving consumers over $271 million in proposed insurance rate increases in 2017 alone. Proposition 103, passed by California voters in November 1988, establishes the Insurance Commissioner's authority to reject excessive rate increases sought by insurance companies. Since his 2011 swearing in, Commissioner Jones has saved consumers over $3.175 billion by rejecting excessive insurance rates or rate increases.

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Media Note:

Consumers who feel they have been treated unfairly by an insurance company, agent or any licensee, are urged to contact the Department's toll-free Consumer Hotline at (800) 927-4357 or visit our web site: insurance.ca.gov.

The California Department of Insurance, established in 1868, is the largest consumer protection agency in California. Insurers collect $310 billion in premiums annually in California. Since 2011 the California Department of Insurance received more than 1,000,000 calls from consumers and helped recover over $469 million in claims and premiums. Please visit the Department of Insurance website at www.insurance.ca.gov. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800.927.4357. Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD), please dial 800.482.4833.